The Atlanta Braves opted not to offer Carson Ragsdale a new contract.
Now, the right-handed pitcher is heading across the Pacific to continue his baseball career.
Ragsdale, a 27-year old, has signed with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball. The Japanese club announced the signing this week.
Ragsdale had a wild second half to 2025.
He was waived by the San Francisco Giants in August and claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. He made his MLB debut for the Orioles.
After that, the Orioles waived Ragsdale, and the Braves claimed him.
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The Braves then designated him for assignment a week later, and the Orioles claimed him again.
Ragsdale made another appearance for Baltimore before the Orioles designated him for assignment, too, and the Braves claimed him.
He had a 14.40 ERA in 2025 in five innings in the big leagues.
Ragsdale is likely hoping for some more stability by signing to pitch in Japan. It also could be a chance for him to continue to improve and potentially come back stateside as a better pitcher in a year or two.
For now, he's got his ticket to a new league for 2026.
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